Home safety

Limiting access to lethal means

Keeping your home safe is one of the most important parts of caring for a teen who has recently attempted suicide. The best way to do this is to restrict access to lethal means. What are lethal means? Anything that someone might use to attempt suicide.  For instance, having a teenager who is feeling suicidal and who can gain access to firearms can be dangerous for your teen and everyone else in your home. Be sure to remove access to other dangerous items that could be harmful to your teen, such as knives and medications. Keep medications locked in a safe place and always dispose of any medications you no longer need. If your teen is taking medications, take charge of administering the medicine and give them only the quantity they need to take.

Firearm safety

Do you keep a firearm in your home for protection? Is this firearm loaded and accessible? In this temporary season in your life, move that firearm to a safer location, such as a storage facility, safe deposit box, local gun club, or with a friend or family member (check with these places to make sure they allow firearm storage). Wherever you choose to store your firearm, unload the firearm and secure it in a locked container or equipped with a tamper-resistant lock or other safety device.  Store ammunition in a separate locked container.

Many parents feel overwhelmed or frustrated by the need to make these changes, but remember, this is only temporary and is one of the best ways you can keep your teen and family safe. Click on the boxes below for more info on home safety.